Springfield has a new mural and mosaic art piece, meant to inspire sex trafficking survivors and educate the public.
"Reclaiming the Light: A Survivor's Journey," was unveiled at the Rethreaded Campus of Hope on Tuesday, after first being teased in January as part of Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry's Human Trafficking Awareness Month declaration.
Rethreaded serves as a boutique gift store that employs survivors of human sex trafficking and provides a safe space for them to receive a stable, living wage and educational opportunities.
The mural was the brainchild of survivor advocate Molly Curry, the first lady of Jacksonville, as part of her art legacy project. The community education program is meant to teach residents how to spot human sex trafficking and how to employ intervention and prevention strategies.
"As a mother of two young women, I believe that empowering women and girls to achieve their full potential is a universal responsibility of us all," she said. "Sadly, more and more women still need our help to avoid being trafficked and to realize their full potential."
As part of the campaign, Curry says the city of Jacksonville, JAX Chamber and Visit Jax have committed to training how to spot human sex trafficking.
More on the artwork and the education program can be found on the Rethreaded website.
